The Best Advice You'll Receive About Motor Vehicle Law

How to Document a Motor Vehicle Claim A motor vehicle claim is the process of filing a report with your insurance company after an accident. The report will enable them to look into your insurance and determine how much they will be liable for damages. You should file your claim as soon as you can following the accident. You'll need the police report along with your insurance card or declarations pages available. What do you do after an accident Immediately after a collision, capture photos and videos from different angles to document the accident. The scene may change quickly witnesses may leave and evidence may vanish. If you are able, take note of the names of drivers as well as their phone numbers, addresses and insurance information. Note the year, model, and make of each vehicle, in addition to any other important information like a damage or license plate number. Asking each driver whether they were wearing seatbelts and if they had passengers along on the road, and identifying their age and gender is also helpful. In a lot of cases injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents don't become apparent for just a few days following the accident. It is essential to seek medical care immediately, even if it seems that you are not injured. If you can, move the vehicle away from traffic in order to prevent further injury or damage. Set up flares and reflective emergency triangles to deter other drivers from hitting you. Inform the authorities if you can. This is important to do even if you think it was not a big deal, as the other driver may later deny the accident occurred and their insurance provider could deny your claim. Getting Started An insurance claim is the process of letting your insurer be aware of a loss and asking them to compensate for it. This can include paying for damages to a vehicle or covering medical expenses caused by an accident. Make sure you have all the information you need prior to making your claim. This includes the contact information for every person affected, receipts for any damaged personal property, and any medical bills. You should also have the accident report along with photographs of any damage. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to your claim who will be the quarterback of your claim. They will review the documents you provided immediately following the incident and conduct an investigation of their own. motor vehicle accident lawyer lowell will help them determine the root of the accident and who was at fault. Once they have an complete knowledge of what transpired the adjuster will assess the damage to your vehicle. You are welcome to attend the inspection, or give a list of repair quotes from local auto shops or contractors. If your insurance company is of the opinion that the damage to your vehicle is too costly to fix it will send you a payment equal to the value of the car. This will permit you to buy a new vehicle or use it to pay for the remaining loan or lease payment. If you are able to file a claim insurance rates could rise. Do everything you can to prove that the accident wasn't your fault. Documenting the Incident If you're involved in a crash, capturing the event is crucial. Insurance companies will seek evidence to back up claims made by you or other people. In fact the evidence collected and documented could determine the outcome of a case. Whether it's pictures of the scene of the accident and witness statements or medical records showing consistent treatment, it's crucial to have all of this details. At the time of the collision, be certain to note the license number of the other driver as well as the details of the vehicle. Also, note the names and contact information of any witnesses. If you are able take photographs or draw a diagram to illustrate the accident scene. This will help you to comprehend what happened on the scene and what caused the accident. Documentation should also contain information about the accident. This includes the location, the direction of travel, and any pertinent landmarks. It's important to include a description of any injuries suffered in the accident, as well. It's also essential to note the severity of any damage that occurred and how it was caused. It is vital to record the incident since over time memories fade, and stories may change. It's the best way to be able to tell the truth. Even if you're not at fault having the facts documented will assist in determining how much liability or responsibility should be given to you. Finding Help Once the police investigation has been filed, contact your insurance company as quickly as you can. Many insurers now let you make a claim through your smartphone or tablet. It's recommended to receive a check from your insurance company to determine the value of your car. This is helpful when you are planning to purchase an additional vehicle and your car is “totaled”. If you're still able to get a loan on your current vehicle it will be able to pay off the balance, and reduce your monthly payment. Your representative will ask you questions and provide you with documents to fill out. It's important to provide accurate information and remain honest throughout the process. It could hurt your case if you are found to have not provided accurate information. If you are hurt during the accident, set an appointment with your doctor immediately to ensure that the bones are set correctly and that any other injuries are recorded for the claim process. Getting to the doctor soon also ensures that your medical expenses are covered under the No-Fault benefits of the accident. If your No-Fault claim is rejected by the insurance company, or you'd like to pursue a liability claim for pain and suffering or other damages, you'll have to file a suit. It is recommended to have an experienced attorney on your side when you decide to file a lawsuit.